Astronomy. to cause perturbation in the orbit of (a celestial body).
Origin: 1325–75;Middle Englishperturben (< Old Frenchperturber) < Latinperturbāre to throw into confusion, equivalent to per-per- + turbāre to disturb; see turbid
late 14c. (implied in perturbation), probably via O.Fr. perturber (14c.), from L. perturbare "to confuse, disorder, disturb," from per- "through" + turbare "disturb, confuse," from turba "turmoil, crowd" (see turbid).